The amendment piloted by Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes also enhances the ceiling from Rs 2,500 to Rs 5,000 a month for certain category of staff employed through contractors.

The Bill does not involve any recurring and non-recurring expenditure. However, the adhoc productivity linked bonus for central government employees belonging to railways, posts and others is to the tune of Rs 125 crore and 490 crore respectively, incurring an additional expenditure of Rs 143 crore.

Touching upon the need to bring an Ordinance, Mr Fernandes said this was done to enhance bonus entitlement on the occassion of Deepawali.